eSavants · 21/11/2018
Long-term test · one month of daily use
Xiaomi Mi 8 feels like a premium phone at a mid-range price, with excellent cameras and a daily driver the reviewer loves.
Likes- Elegant finish and comfortable one-hand use
- Excellent cameras, especially portrait mode
- Performance comparable to much more expensive phones
- Fingerprint sensor well placed on the back
Dislikes- Battery is the weakest point of the phone
- Notifications poorly handled, with no status bar icons
- Speaker is weak, and sound comes from only one grille
- Face unlock needs a region change workaround
Carlos Vassan · 21/08/2018
Hands-on review · weeks as main phone
Xiaomi Mi 8 is a strong all-round phone, especially for its price, with few real complaints.
Likes- Very fast performance for gaming and multitasking
- Camera with vibrant colours and 4K video
- Battery lasts about a day and a half with heavy use
- Fast 4.0 charging, roughly one hour to full
Dislikes- Large notch at the top of the display
- Design closely resembles the iPhone X
Topes de Gama · 29/07/2018
Hands-on review · camera, video, speed and screen tests
Xiaomi Mi 8 has strong hardware and speed, but its camera and portrait mode still need work.
Likes- Very fast performance from the processor and interface
- Good screen that uses its size well
- Stable video and good handheld stabilisation
- Attractive, comfortable design
Dislikes- Portrait mode is not accurate in difficult lighting
- Camera software needs improvement
- Speakers are weaker than rival phones
- No 3.5 mm headphone jack
Xataka · 13/07/2018
Full review · battery, charging, camera and software tests
Xiaomi Mi 8 is a very good phone for its price, with a big screen and smooth performance.
Likes- Smooth, powerful performance
- Large, fluid screen
- Solid build and versatile dual camera
- Good battery life and fast charging
Dislikes- Headphone jack removed, so an adapter is needed
- Sound is decent but not outstanding
- Camera loses detail in some scenes
Geekdegafas · 20/06/2018
Full review · design, connectivity, battery and software
Xiaomi Mi 8 is liked a lot overall, but its software needs work until a global ROM arrives.
Likes- GPS positioning is very accurate thanks to the new satellite system
- Screen-on time rarely drops below six hours
- Efficient processor that helps battery life
- Full connectivity with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0
Dislikes- Software still rough, with some app problems and missing features
- Sharing menu lacks a copy-to-clipboard option
- Battery capacity is only decent for a high-end phone
TecnoLocura · 19/06/2018
Hands-on review · performance, screen and always-on tests
Xiaomi Mi 8 is a high-end phone with strong performance and a good screen, with a few software quirks.
Likes- Smooth performance in games and multitasking
- Screen colour calibration options
- Good connectivity with dual GPS
- Fluid, polished software
Dislikes- Always-on display drains the battery
- Notification LED colour cannot be changed
- Notch visible even when hidden in software
- Memory cannot be expanded with microSD
HighTech4k · 26/01/2022
Recommendation · thoughts on an older phone
Xiaomi Mi 8 is still worth buying, with battery life as its only real drawback.
Likes- Fast fingerprint reader and good face unlock
- Good speakers and camera quality
- Newer Android possible through a custom ROM
- Strong processor performance for an older device
Dislikes- Battery is the only real weak point
- Newer Android needs a custom ROM to install
Pro Android · 19/06/2018
Unboxing · first impressions and fluidity check
Xiaomi Mi 8 offers good value and strong performance, but is not top-tier because of missing water resistance and design details.
Likes- Fingerprint sensor works very well
- Strong performance in games and multitasking
- Good value for the price
Dislikes- Lacks water resistance
- Edge and front design not fully premium
Sconticina TV · 08/10/2018
Hands-on review · several weeks of use and battery logs
Xiaomi Mi 8 is a balanced flagship worth buying, though telephoto night shots and audio are weak.
Likes- Good value for a flagship at its price
- Smooth software and good daily performance
- Good battery endurance under heavy use
- Good front camera for selfies
Dislikes- Telephoto lens struggles badly in shadow and at night
- No 4K at 60 fps despite hardware support
- Audio and speaker are mediocre, and there is no headphone jack
- Video mode cannot use the telephoto lens reliably
Tecnoandroid · 07/10/2018
Long-term test · two months of daily use
Xiaomi Mi 8 performs well and lasts well, but is not the best value, with reservations about its night camera and security.
Likes- Smooth performance after months of software updates
- Excellent battery life and fast charging
- Fast fingerprint sensor on the back
- Premium rear materials and attractive design
Dislikes- Not the best value for money at its price
- Night photos fall behind top flagships
- Face unlock is less secure than iris scanners
- Buying from China brings delivery and warranty risks